Washing machines



May 12, 1959 c. T. DENKER WASHING MACHINES Filed Sept. 17, 1956ELEUTRILHL PEIWER EEILJREE INVENTOR.

7. DEA/KER EHHR L E 5' United States Patent M WASHING MACHINES CharlesT. Denker, Chicago, 11]. Application September 17, 1956, Serial No.610,242

3 Claims. (Cl. 68-156) This invention relates to a new and improvedwashingmachine which may also be employed as a drying machine. a

The machine is adapted to washing and drying fabrics such as clothingand also to washing and drying of other objects including dishes and thelike.

There are two general types of washing apparatus which have beenwidelyused as domestic washing machines. In one device of this nature, theclothing or other fabrics are placed into a tub in which a bladeagitator islocated- The tub is filled with a water and detergent xsolution and the clothing is agitated for a substantial period of time,after which it is rinsed and subsequentlydried. In some of thesemachines, the washing, rinsing, and drying functions are all carried outautomatically. The other type of fabric-washing machine in general usefor domestic applications comprises a cylindrical member having a seriesof projections extending inwardlytherefrom and generally referred to asa tumbler.

In machines of this type, the clothing is placed in the tumbler alongwith a detergent solution and the tumbler isrotated for'a substantialperiod of time, after which theclothing is rinsed and dried. In thisinstance, also, the washing, rinsing, and drying functions of themachine-may be automatically regulated. Quite frequently, rapid rotationof the tub or tumbler, depending upon construction of the machine, isutilized to remove most of the washing solution from the fabrics bycentrifugal action.

ln commercial applications, other types of washing machines have beenemployed, including some in which a.tub isreciprocated in a verticaldirection to agitate the fabrics within a detergent solution. Generallyspeaking,

the vertical stroke of these machines hasbeen relativelyshortinrelationto the depth of the tubs employed and mechanical vibration of thefabrics within the detergent; solution has been relied upon to effectthe desired cleaning' action. Someof these devices have also beenutilized further to rinse and to dry the fabrics.

In these prior art washing machines, efiicient cleaning is predicatedupon relatively violent agitation of the clothing or other fabricswithin the detergent solution, particularly where a relatively shortwashing cycleis desired. Consequently, the fabrics may be worn orotherwise damaged in the course of the washing operation. Moreover, theprior art washing machines frequently leave much to be desired withrespect to eificiency in the washing operation in that they may fail tobring the deter gent solution adequately into contact with all of. thefabric being washed.

A principal object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a new andimproved washing machine which substantially minimizes theaforementioned disadvantages of prior art devices.

A; more specific .object of "theinvention is the provision of a new andimproved washing machine in which;

a detergent solution is forced into contact with the ma- 2,885,877Patented May 12, 1959 terial being washed, and, in the case of fabrics,is impelled to some extent through the fabric structure.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a Washingmachine adapted to wash and to dry both fabrics and/or other objectssuch as dishes, utensils, and the like.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a washing machine inwhich damage to the materials being washed is effectively minimizedwithout substantial sacrifice in washing efliciency.

A corollary object of the invention is the provision of a new andimproved washing machine which is relatively economical in constructionand therefore suitable for domestic use and which is also relativelyconvenient in operation.

A washing machine constructed in accordance with the invention'comprisesa cylindrical tub including upper and lower sections, the upper sectionhaving a crosssectional area substantially larger than the area of thelower section. Preferably, both sections of the tub are circular incross-sectional configuration. An axially movable piston rod extendsvertically into the tub, preferably' at the center thereof, and asubstantially imperforate open-ended wash cylinder is mounted on thepiston rod for movement therewith. This wash cylinder is constructed tohave a cross-sectional configuration and area effectively correspondingto the configuration and area of the lower tub section and is smaller inheight than the upper tub section. At least one perforate supportmember, which has a cross-sectional configuration and area correspondingto the Wash cylinder,is supported within that cylinder for movementtherewith, the support member being positioned substantiallyabove thebottom of the cylinder. In addition, thewashing machine; includesdriving means for eifecting reciprocal axial movement of the piston rodto reciprocate the basket between the upper and lower sections of thetub. Other and further objects of the present invention which, by way ofillustration, shows a preferred embodiment of'the present invention andthe principles thereofandzwhat I now consider to be the best mode inwhich'I have contemplatedapplying these principles. Other embodiments ofthe invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be usedand structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in theart without departing from the present invention and theipurview of theappended claims.

.In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectionalelevation view, partly in diagrammatic'form, ofawashing machine embodying the inventive concept;

Fig. '2 is a sectional view of the washing machine'of Fig. 1 takenalongline 2--2 therein;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view showing a mounting arrangementemployed for a part of the washing machine of Fig. 1; and s Fig. 4 is awiring diagram illustrating one control scheme which may be employed inoperating the washer of Fig; 1.

. The washing machine 10 illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a cylindricaltub 11 having an upper section 12 and a lower section 13. As indicatedin the drawings, tub sections 12 and 13 are both preferably circular incrosssectional configuration, although this is not essential since norotational movement is entailed in operation of the washing machine, aswill be made'apparent hereinafter.

The lower tub section 13 is made substantially smaller than the uppersection. 12 and is provided with a drain I retaining the cover securelyon top of the tub, as by an interrupted thread or-locking ring 16.

An axially movable piston rod 17 is included in washing machine andextends vertically through the bottom 18 of tub 11, preferably at thecenter thereof as indicated in Fig. 2. Piston rod 17 is adapted foraxial movement within the tub, as will be explained morecompletelyhereinafter, and is provided with a suitable sealing device 19to prevent loss of fluid from tub 11'. As best shown in Fig. 3, asupport ring 20 is afi'lxed to piston rod 17 at a point spaced from theupper end thereof; ring 20 may be mounted upon the piston rod by anysuitable means which effectively prevents axial movement of the supportring along the rod. A first perforate disc-shaped support member 21 isaffixed to support ring 20 as by a plurality of bolts 22 or othersuitable means. Support member 21 may be fabricated from relativelyheavy metal mesh mate rial, relatively heavy expanded metal or from ametal sheet which has been perforated by punching or other suitabletechnique to afford a multiplicity of openings therethrough. Preferably,support member 21 is not planar in configuration; rather, it is formedina series of convolutions or corrugations, preferably concentric, asindicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Washing machine 10 further includes an imperforate open-ended washcylinder 23 having an internal axial open ing corresponding indimensions and configuration to the peripheral edge of support member21. Wash cylinder 23 is aifixed to support member 21 by some suitablemeans, such as a plurality of mounting brackets 24, so that the washcylinder is effectively mounted upon piston rod 17 for movementtherewith. In accordance with the inventive concept, wash cylinder 23should be constructed with a height smaller than the height of either oftub sections 12 and 13, and particularly should be made smaller inheight than the upper tub section 12. Moreover, the external diameter ofwash cylinder 23 is made approximately equal to the internal diameter oflower tub section 13 in order that the wash cylinder may operateeffectively as a piston within the lower section of the tub, as will beexplained more completely hereinafter. Wash cylinder 23 may also beprovided with a sealing ring 25 on the lower peripheral edge thereof toafford a hydraulic seal between the wash cylinder and the lower tubsection when the washing machine is placed in operation.

A plurality of secondary perforate support members are also mountedwithin wash cylinder 23 as indicated by the support members 26, 27, and28 in the illustrated embodiment of the invention. Each of supportmembers 2628 is preferably fabricated from metal mesh materialsubstantially similar to that utilized for primary support member 21 andis given a convoluted or corrugated configuration as shown in thedrawings. Support member 26 is supported above member 21 by a sleeve 30-which is loosely slidable upon piston rod 17; sleeve 30 may comprise acompletely separate member or may be suitably attached to the secondarysupport member 26; Similarly, support member 27 is supported abovemember 261 by means of a sleeve 31 and support members 27 and 28 areseparated by yet another sleeve 32. Each of the disc-like perforatesupport members 2628 has a configuration and dimensions approximatelycorresponding to the internal cross-sectional area of cylinder 23, butthe overall diameter of the support members may be made slightly smallerthan the internal diameter of the wash cylinder to facilitate insertionand removal of the support members into and from the cylinder. Therelative positions of the support members are maintained constant by alocking cap 33 which is threaded onto or otherwise removably secured tothe upper end ofpiston rod 17.

The end of piston rod 17 extending outside of tub 11 is aflixed to apiston 34 mounted within a hydraulic cylinder 35. The upper end ofcylinder 35 through which the piston rod extends is of course providedwith a suitable seal as indicated at 36. Hydraulic cylinder 35 is alsoprovided with two operating ports 37 and 38 which are connected bysuitable fluid conduits'to a solenoid-operated four-way valve 39. Valve39 is also connected by suitable fluid conduits to a conventionalhydraulic pump 40 which is energized from a suitable electric motor orother prime mover 41. Valve 39 may comprise any conventional valveadapted to reverse the inlet and outlet relationship of two of its portsin relation to the other two ports under control of an electricallyoperated solenoid mechanism. Pump 40, on the other hand, may compriseany conventional hydraulic pump, the inlet port of the pump beingindicated at 42 and the outlet port at 43.

Prime mover 41, which may, for example, comprise a conventionalsingle-phase AC. motor, is connected to a suitable electrical powersource 44 through a circuit comprising a pair of conductors 45 and 46, amaster switch 47 being interposed in series with conductor 46. Powersource 44 may, of course, comprise the usual source of volt- 60 cyclepower available in most homes; or any other suitable source ofelectrical energy from which motor 41 may be energized. A series ofheating coils 48 are supported beneath the base of tub section 13 andmay be connected across the electrical energizing circuit comprisingconductors 45 and 46. Preferably, a heater control switch 49 isinterposed in the heater circuit and a thermostatic control switch 50 isalso incorporated in the heater circuit; if desired, these two switchesmay be combined in a single unit.

The operating coil 51 for solenoid valve 39 has one terminal connectedto power line 46, as indicated in Fig. 4, the other terminal of thesolenoid being connected to power line 45 through a normally-closedlimit switch 52 and a normally-open solenoid-operated limit switch 53,the operating coil for switch 53 being indicated at 54 in Fig. 4. Asindicated in Fig. 1, switch 52 is located within; the base portion oflower tub section 13, whereas limit switch 53 is positioned near theupper edge of the upper tub section 12. g

In operation, tub 11 is filled with a detergent solution, preferablyapproximately to the level indicated at 55. The material to be washed,such as clothing or other; fabrics, is disposed in the several spacesseparating support members 21, 26, 27, and 28, the entire support memberassembly being locked together by cap 33 after the material to be washedis placed in position. Cover 15 is then mounted upon the washing machineand the machine is ready for operation.

For the control arrangement shown in Fig. 4, solenoid valve 39 must beenergized to operate the piston rod 17 in a downward direction and mustbe de-energized' in order to impell the piston rod upwardly. Assumingthat operation is started in the position as shown, wash cylinder 23 isin engagement with limit switch 53, closing the limit switch andtherefore maintaining solenoid valve 39 in energized condition. As soonas master switch 47 is closed, therefore, and pump 40 is energized,fluid under pressure from pump 40 is impelled from the pump outlet port43 into valve 39 and into hydraulic cylinder 35 through inlet port 38.The incoming oil or other hydraulic fluid impells piston 34 downwardly,any-fluid in the cylinder being forced out through port 37 and backthrough valve 39 into the pump inlet port 42. Consequently, piston rod17 is moved downwardly along; with, piston 34.

As piston rod 17 moves downwardly, bringing the support assemblycomprising the several perforate, SUP port members and wash cylinder 23with it, the wash cylinder is eflectively sealed to lower tub section13. Because the wash cylinder contacts the surface of the washingsolution before the support member 21, the air entrapped within thecylinder, as well as the washing liquid, is forced through the materialsupported within cylinder 23. Consequently, a very positive washingaction is afforded for the material supported within wash cylinder 23.

As soon as cylinder 23 begins its downward movement, it is released fromengagement with limit switch 53 but this switch is maintained closed byenergization of its operating coil 54. Consequently, thedownwardmovement of the cylinder continues until the wash cylinderengages limit switch 52, opening this switch and de-ene'rgizingoperating coil 54 and solenoid coil 51. .When this occurs, solenoidvalve 39 reverses its internalfluid connections and, as a consequence,the fluid under pres sure from pump 40 is impelled into hydrauliccylinder 35 through port 37 and is drained therefrom through port 38 andback through valve 39 to'the pump. Accordingly, piston 34 is irnpelledupwardly until such time as wash cylinder 23 encounters limit switch 53and again completes the control circuit, at which time the action isagain reversed. Thus, the simple control scheme illustrated in Fig. 4effectively controls the washing cycle to maintain reciprocal verticalmovement of piston rod 17 with its associated wash-supporting structurewithin tub 11. Reciprocal movement of the piston rod and the memberssupported thereon is continued until the contents of the washer arethoroughly cleansed. Of course, the speed of reciprocation of the pistonwithin tub 11 is dependent upon the capacity of pump 40, which should beselected to afford operation at a rate at least of the order of threecomplete cycles or oscillations per minute. If the reciprocal action ofthe piston is increased unduly in speed, the fluid forced through thewash cylinder may damage the material being washed to some extent,although this is not likely to occur unless speeds very greatly inexcess of that indicated above are achieved; on the other hand,excessive speed may lead to distortion of the support members 21, 26, 27and 28. Too slow a speed, on the other hand, may substantially reducethe efficiency of the washing action and may therefore require excessivetime in operation.

After the contents of the washer have been thoroughly cleansed, thewashing machine may be shut down by opening master switch 47 and valve14 may be opened to drain the detergent solution, after which tub 11 maybe refilled with clear liquid. The washed material may then be rinsed inthe same manner as employed for washing. Of course, the speed ofoperation of the washer may be controlled by incorporating a suitablespeed control in the energizing circuit for motor 41, although such acontrol is not essential. The motor speed may also be adjusted to changespeed of operation of the washing machine in accordance with the densityof material to be cleansed.

After the washing and rinsing operation has been completed, the machinemay again be shut down and drained, after which it is again set inoperation with heat control switch 49 closed to energize heating coils48. When washing fabrics, it is preferable that the cleansed material bewrung out before the drying operation entailed in use of heater coils 48is initiated. Heat from coils 48 substantially raises the temperature ofthe air within the closed chamber defined by tub 11 and cover 15 and thereciprocal movement of the wash cylinder Within tub 11 forces the heatedair through the material. Consequently, the machine may be employed toeffect relatively rapid drying of the clothing or other fabric afterwashing has been completed. This action, like the washing action, is ofcourse materially assisted by the provision of the flexible packing ring25 on cylinder 23, which permits operation of the wash cylinder as anair piston during the drying operation and as a hydraulic piston duringthe washing operation. The drying temperature within the washer may ofcourse be controlled in the usual manner by thermostat 50.

In many instances it may be desirable to afford a constant temperaturefor the washing solution during the washing operation. A variablethermostat may be utilized for element 50 and may be set to maintain thedesired washing temperature within the machine throughout the Morever,the same machine may be utilized for washing 1 dishes or othernon-fabric articlesin essentially the same manneras describedhereinabove in connection with the" cleansing of fabricsg' When it isdesired to utilize the machine as a dish washer, it may be desirable tosubstitute wire or other suitable racks for the support members 26,

27, and 28in order to hold the dishes in fixed position within the washcylinder or to add such racks to the support members. 3 It will beunderstood that the control arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 istypical of a wide variety'of electrical control schemes which may beemployed for this purpose and may be varied as desired. Moreover,mechanical-control arrangements, coupled with a mechanically-controlledfour-way valve, may also be used for this purpose, such arrangementsbeing well known in the art. Indeed, the use of a hydraulic drivingsystem for piston 17 is in no way essential to operation of theinvention, and other driving arrangements such as camoperated systemsfor obtaining the requisite reciprocal movement of the operating pistonrod may be utilized as desired.

From the foregoing structural and operational description of theinvention, it will be apparent that the inventive concept provides awashing machine which is relatively simple in construction yet whichaffords a positive .washing and/or drying action without entailing unduewear or other damage to the material being washed, whether it befabrics, dishes, or other articles. The washing machine of the inventionis simple to operate and may be made completely automatic by relativelysimple controls, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Hence, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodimentof my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable ofvariation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited tothe precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of suchchanges and alternations as fall within the purview of the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. A washing machine comprising: a cylindrical tub comprising an uppersection and a lower section, said upper section having an insidediameter substantially larger than the inside diameter of said lowersection; an axially movable piston rod extending vertically into saidtub approximately at the center thereof; a substantially imperforateopen-ended wash cylinder mounted on said piston rod and having anoutside diameter smaller than that of said upper tub section so as toprovide a circumferential space between the wash cylinder and the uppertub section when the wash cylinder is moved into the upper tub section,the outside diameter of said wash cylinder being substantially equal tothat of said lower tub section so as to have a substantial seal fittherewith when moved into the lower tub section, said wash cylinderhaving a height smaller than the height of said upper tub section; atleast one perforate support member, having a cross-sectionalconfiguration and area corresponding to said wash cylinder, supportedwithin said cylinder for movement therewith at a position substantiallyabove the bottom of said cylinder; and driving means operative to effectreciprocal axial movement of said piston rod to reciprocate said washcylinder upward into said upper section to dispose the bottom of thewash cylinder above the upper end of said lower section permitting freeflow of liquid from said upper section to said lower section downwardthrough said circumferential space when said wash cylinder is sodisposed in said upper section, and said driving means being operativeto effect lowering of said wash cylinder into said lower section wherebythe wash cylinder then serves as a piston causing a violent surge offluid upward into said upper section.

washi g machine; accord n t c m: 1. he ein.

from another by separators concentric to the piston rodv and interposedbetween each pair of perforate supports to space the same.

3. A washing machine according to claim 1 wherein the .upper and lowersections of the tub are of substantially eqpal, height,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSLabonty July 27, 1909 Carter Sept, 7, 1926 Troy Nov. 26, 1929Quackenbush Nov. 22, 1932 Hitchcock Aug. 28, 1934 Stageberg Sept. 19,1950 FOREIGN PATENTS France May 8, 1933

